Tag Archives: Farm

When we bought the farm we were anticipating retirement. We had an initial five year business plan. A plan which did not include a live in farm manager; we were firm in our commitment to protect our privacy. A plan which did not include a new construction project; we were firm in our commitment to preserve capital.

Livin’ la vida loca baby #FarmLife

Yeh!

However, five years into our tenure we are not only blessed to have a terrific live in farm manager in Olivia, we are also deeply committed to an exciting and unique construction project.

So what happened?

Labour happened. More to the point cultivating and retaining labour happened. As much as we wish it weren’t the case, ours is not a hobby farm and it requires talented labour to help us make ends meet.

In the Similkameen Valley farm tasks are hard, dirty, sweltering affairs. Tasks Olivia and her concerted crew of dreadlocks meet head on every year. So much so we routinely rely upon her vetting skills to cultivate an appropriate labour pool.

So it came to pass that we had an old green coloured trailer on our property and it was only a matter of time before someone, Olivia, enquired as to wether we would be amenable to sheltering it out. #SlipperySlope #PrivacySchmivacy

Our problem going forward was the trailer. This big green monster of a trailer was simply put, quite hideous. No. Not merely hideous. It was odious as well. The big green monster trailer of eternal torment certainly was not suitable as long term accommodation.

Hell, it was not even suitable as a short term dog house. Which, ironically we have since learned that in a previous incarnation the big green monster trailer served a stint as a kennel.

Yes.

A.

Kennel.

At some point some simpleton decided that the big green monster trailer would make an i-f*cking-deal K9 lodgment. #WayTooMuchInformation

Regardless, that which is green and monstrous must be dealt with.

So in an effort to provide safe and appropriate cover from the elements we agreed to demolish the trailer…

..and performed a smudge ceremony all before developing a modest abode purposely designed to accommodate a capable and trustworthy soul with a penchant for vetting talent.

It became apparent from the onset that the prudent thing to do would be to construct a couple of vacation rental units at the same time to help off set the cost of construction. #AnotherSlipperySlope #ProjectRetirementKiller

So here we are five years later with a new five year business plan for ¡vida en la granja loca! – life on the crazy farm!

We get that a lot. When friends visit the farm for the first time we get “Boy you guys sure are lucky!” Seems weird that at age 56 luck should figure so prominently. Luck is for the less experienced, gamblers, and those with a penchant for casting their fate into the ether.

Of course what our friends mean is they acknowledge what we have. The farm. The farm thingys. The lifestyle and the freedom that comes with it. At this point I should make it clear that farmersdotter is younger than I. Not to do so would be unlucky.

Anyway, after several years working for the man options were weighed and the decision was made to pursue a different lifestyle. Other opportunities were present and opting for this farm was a conscience choice. Fortunate? Maybe. Lucky? Not so much.

Why mention this at all? Well, it goes to our philosophy of voting with your wallet. Consider what spending your hard earned store of labour means. Simply, it is a the value of your labour in return for the real cost of acquiring a benefit. Both values must be deemed fair and equal by both parties involved.

As the saying goes ‘we work hard for our money’ and its expenditure should be carefully weighed to ensure it is spent on commodities and services deserving of our efforts. If we decide we just have to have “that” then we calculate the store of labour invested in producing “that”. If the calculation says “that” isn’t fair and equitable then we barter. If bartering doesn’t work then we find “that” somewhere else or go without.

There we just voted with our wallet. We said the value isn’t with you but it might be with someone else. A little harsh but we’re talking about 56 years of accumulated store of labour here. Ain’t going to give it away. Too much respect for that.

In calculating the store of labour we consider the producer’s labour practices, environmental management policies and overall ethics. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it. No ticky no laundry.

Would we invite an unethical producer into our home for a Coke? No. We don’t buy Coke. We don’t buy anything made by Coke. We calculate we don’t like Coke. No ticky.

We do buy fair trade organic coffee. Would you like organic cream and my neighbour’s organic honey with that?

Like this:

Snow has finally arrived. The snow lends a special light and layer of beauty to the valley. Makes one search out a good book to read by a warm fire. Lovely. Snow has arrived. There you have it… or rather we have it.

Snow Dec. 12, 2012

Most folks in the valley are surprised snowfall held off as long as it did. One neighbour mentioned last week, while it was still green and mild, that by the last week of November their family would be skating on nearby Ginty’s Pond.

Bunty Cat has restricted her outdoor activity to the protected perimeter of the house. Activity. Yes, I suspect there will be a few little piles of activity to deal with this spring.

All I know is we now have an insulating blanket of snow over the barley mulched garlic crop. Normally that would be a good thing. The reality is, in the aforementioned green and mild conditions the barley mulch has been happily sprouting and growing amazing roots into the garlic. This, to me is mildly concerning because germinating barley requires minus 8 celcius to winter kill. That will be difficult to achieve under the snow.

Never thought I’d be a barley farmer but there you have it… or rather we have it.

Like this:

farmersdotter had a very productive meeting today with Whole Foods Market in Penticton. We discovered that not only is it their 29th Anniversary this week, it also appears our wood fired oven will be baking up a storm for them this winter. Drop by the Market, 103-1770 Main Street, October 31 for customer appreciation and a sample of real bread!